Online Exhibitions

Witchcraft and Lore in South West Scotland

Tam O'Shanter Postcards

Description:

Robert Burns' 1790 narrative poem "Tam O'Shanter" details
a theatrical night centring on a man named Tam who finds himself
face to face with witches and demons after a night at the public
house. The imagery depicted by Burns showcases elements
of traditional witchcraft lore that is similar to the beliefs
held by people in the South West of Scotland; specifically
concerning the gathering of witches. These postcards showcase the
sections of Burn's poem that details his encounter and escape from
the witches and their consorts, supernatural entities believed to
aid witches.﻿